Navy now says jet diverted over mechanical problem

The Associated Press

A Navy spokesman says a fighter jet training off the coast of San Diego was diverted to a nearby base because of a mechanical problem.

Navy spokesman Aaron Kakiel said Friday the problem of the F/A-18 jet was spotted while it was training with the Nimitz aircraft carrier, countering initial reports from the military that fog caused the diversion Tuesday night.

Kakiel says the pilot could not land at the Navy's North Island base because of fog and was sent further inland to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where the aircraft landed safely.

Kakiel declined to specify the mechanical problem.

Four years ago, a malfunctioning Marine F/A-18D crashed into a San Diego home after the pilot ejected. Four people died. A military investigation found emergency landing rules weren't followed.